Jake Johnson (Va Tech LB to transfer to FCS School)

[jmu-fan-1981]

Today's Fredericksburg Free Lance Star:
BY STEVE DeSHAZO

Jake Johnson decided he'd rather change schools than change positions.
The Stafford High School graduate was granted his release from Virginia Tech this week and plans to transfer to a Division I-AA school, where he'll have two seasons of football eligibility and can play this fall.
Johnson started eight games at linebacker for the Hokies last fall but lost his starting spot and was moved to defensive end for spring practice. Unhappy with the switch, he asked Tech's coaching staff for a release from his scholarship.
Reached by phone in Blacksburg last night, Johnson said he made his decision after last month's spring game, when he failed to make a tackle.
"I'd been thinking about it for a little while. It wasn't some random thing," he said. "A lot of things went into it, but the main thing is I wanted to be happy. I wasn't happy."
After playing exclusively on special teams as a true freshman in 2008, Johnson won the starting inside linebacker job in spring practice in 2009.
In his first college start, he made a game-high 13 tackles in the Hokies' 24-14 loss to eventual national champion Alabama and was named most valuable defensive player.
He made 55 tackles on the season, but defensive coordinator Bud Foster was displeased with Johnson's inconsistency and replaced him in the starting lineup with redshirt freshman Barquell Rivers. Johnson did not play in two of the Hokies' final five games.
He struggled in his adjustment to defensive end in the spring and failed to record a tackle in last month's spring game. He reportedly expressed to his coaches his desire to return to his old position at his next destination.
"I want to play linebacker," Johnson said. "Through the spring, I just really wasn't feeling defensive end. I was definitely giving it my all, but it wasn't happening."
Johnson said Tech's coaches asked him to reconsider but wished him well.
"He has some limitations in space," Foster said of Johnson after the spring game, "and that got exploited a little bit last year. But he's a good football player; I'd recruit him again."
Since receiving his release on Tuesday, Johnson said he's heard from several schools, including state I-AA powers Richmond, James Madison and William & Mary.
"Now I've got to start calling them back and arranging some visits," Johnson said. "I don't have a short list, but I want to see how I would fit in. It doesn't matter to me what level I play. I just want to play."
Virginia Tech's exam period begins today. Johnson said he's in good academic standing to transfer.
If he transfers to a Division I-AA school, Johnson will be eligible to play this fall. If he chooses another I-A school, he will have to sit out the 2010 season per NCAA transfer rules but can use it as his redshirt year.

[dbackjon]

Any early favorites?

[jmu-fan-1981]

article names richmond, william & mary, and jmu.

i think it depends on his visits.

[AZGrizFan]

article names richmond, william & mary, and jmu.

i think it depends on his visits.

Any of the three would be lucky to have him.

[JMUpurplehazed]

If it's down to these three I like JMUs chances...W&M and UR are snoozers

[Tribe4SF]

If he's bent on playing LB, he may be better off at JMU. W&M and Richmond are both strong at LB with guys who play well in space.

[BDKJMU]

Here's the link:
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010 ... 010/546336" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/pla ... _jake.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

FWIW also a VT receiver transferring. Heard over on the JMU board that JMU is interested in the receiver. JMU technically starts 3 receivers, but one of them is more of a slot/wing back, and last year JMU, in part due to injuries at receiver, and part due to going 4 deep at TB, was usually playing one of their TBs at that position (and the last couple of games also some 2 back sets). Among WRs, JMU did lose their 1st (Rockhhed McCarter) and 3rd (Bosco Williams) leading receivers. Have 2 coming back with significant starting experience over the last 2 seasons, Kerby Long (will be a rJr) and Marcus Turner (will be a rSr). After that, the only one who saw the field any the last 2 seasons is Julius Graves (will be a rJr). Even though JMU redshirted 5 freshman WRs last season, a WR transfer with enough talent to contribute couldn't hurt.
http://www.techsideline.com/news_archiv ... e-5219.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/pla ... terry.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JMUpurplehazed]

Read in the May 8th Daily News Record that both VT transfers have contacted JMU...BUT that JMU may not have scholarships left Not sure what would have to be done, but if Mickey turns away a guy that had 13 tackles against Alabama last year that is foolish IMO Find a way Mickey!!!

[Col Hogan]

Read in the May 8th Daily News Record that both VT transfers have contacted JMU...BUT that JMU may not have scholarships left Not sure what would have to be done, but if Mickey turns away a guy that had 13 tackles against Alabama last year that is foolish IMO Find a way Mickey!!!

Yea, renege on some kid who has worked his fanny off and take the scholly away so you can get a kid who quits on his team because he can't play the position he wants...

[SpiderFan5]

Read in the May 8th Daily News Record that both VT transfers have contacted JMU...BUT that JMU may not have scholarships left Not sure what would have to be done, but if Mickey turns away a guy that had 13 tackles against Alabama last year that is foolish IMO Find a way Mickey!!!

Yea, renege on some kid who has worked his fanny off and take the scholly away so you can get a kid who quits on his team because he can't play the position he wants...

haha
if only it worked that way

[SpiderFan5]

If it's down to these three I like JMUs chances...W&M and UR are snoozers

I wouldnt say snozzers
its just easier to get into JMU than UR and W&M because UR and W&M are just better

[ChickenMan]

It has to be Delaware.. since they are.. according to some.. the only FCS school that ever accepts a transfer...

[Col Hogan]

It has to be Delaware.. since they are.. according to some.. the only FCS school that ever accepts a transfer...

I remember UMass being accused of doing similar nefarious deeds...maybe he'll go there...

[BDKJMU]

Yea, renege on some kid who has worked his fanny off and take the scholly away so you can get a kid who quits on his team because he can't play the position he wants...

haha
if only it worked that way

Thing is, I can't believe Mickey wouldn't leave one or 2 scholarships open for possible transfers. Then on the other hand, there always seems to be an avg of a few offseason losses among the scholly guys (after all, with 60+ including the incoming LOIs odds are you usually will lose a couple during the offseason due to anything from rising rSr non starters graduating and electing not to play a 5th yr, personal, academic, legal, etc, and so far don't think that has happened (unlike a yr ago).

[89Hen]

article names richmond, william & mary, and jmu.

Transfer U's.

[TribeNomad]

I guess W&M & UR seem more serene due to the lack of riot police squads..........

[JMUpurplehazed]

Don't forget the helicopters with spotlights flying around town like on COPS...W'burg will have a riot to deal with if WAWA runs out of wine-coolers on homecoming weekend.

[guinzone]

BREAKING!

Jake Johnson is a YSU Penguin!
http://www.letsgoguins.com/columns/foot ... ing-to-ysu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dbackjon]

Great pickup!

[JMUpurplehazed]

Did not see this guy landing outside of VA, seems like JMU, UR, WM, Liberty and ODU all dropped the ball here...great on YSU.

[NorthHen]

Perhaps a little short in the "scholar" part of "scholarship" which might explain the destination as opposed to Richmond, William/Mary, and even JMU. Maybe not....business major.

[guinzone]

Perhaps a little short in the "scholar" part of "scholarship" which might explain the destination as opposed to Richmond, William/Mary, and even JMU. Maybe not....business major.

Wow that is one of the most arrogant posts on this forum. I appreciate the cheap shot jerk.

Considering I attend Youngstown State, I am especially pissed off with your post. I'd like to see you do as well as I am right now in my pursuit of a business degree.

[NorthHen]

Poorly phrased on my part. "Maybe not...business major" meant that he appears to have a very legitimate field of study. Good luck in your studies... I'll buy a few shares of stock from you when you land in Wall Street.

Virginia kid landing in Ohio is a bit odd...considering all the Virginia FCS options available...and that he was already going to school in Virginia. Maybe he's a Ron Jaworski fan....

Just read a report indicating that YSU football players graduate at a rate 31% higher than the general student population...3rd highest differential in the FCS.

[YoUDeeMan]

Perhaps a little short in the "scholar" part of "scholarship" which might explain the destination as opposed to Richmond, William/Mary, and even JMU. Maybe not....business major.

Wow that is one of the most arrogant posts on this forum. I appreciate the cheap shot jerk.

Considering I attend Youngstown State, I am especially pissed off with your post. I'd like to see you do as well as I am right now in my pursuit of a business degree.

Bangy's...AKA North Hen...already making friends.

[JMU DJ]

Ooooooooh, sorry... the correct answer was "Southern Alabama"

http://www.usajaguars.com/news/2010/7/6 ... 03510.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;